Timber Ridge Ranch
Our Mission at Timber Ridge Ranch is to provide an opportunity for inner-city and underprivileged children to attend a summer
camp where they can experience multi-level sustainable agriculture with a hands on approach , a mentoring program that provides
guidance and positive relationships, and a scholarship program that provides an opportunity for a college education to children
who participate.
Our Mission at Timber Ridge Ranch is to provide an opportunity for inner-city and underprivileged children to attend a summer
camp where they can experience multi-level sustainable agriculture with a hands on approach , a mentoring program that provides
guidance and positive relationships, and a scholarship program that provides an opportunity for a college education to children
who participate.
Timber Ridge Ranch
This is a non-profit corporation camp for inner city or underprivileged Tennessee children.
A. The Camp
Eight weeks of every summer a week long camp will be held for inner city or underprivileged children from the
state of Tennessee. This camp will be the beginning stages of a mentoring program that will begin for the kids
between the ages of nine and thirteen. The camp will be an opportunity for the mentors and children to form a
much closer bond before they return to their home towns.
While at the camp the mentors and kids will learn about multi-level sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture
integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities.
These goals have been defined by a variety of disciplines and may be looked at from the vantage point of the farmer
or the consumer. Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce fertile soil for crops along with
livestock and fish from managed ponds, without causing severe or irreversible damage to ecosystem health. Two key
issues are biophysical (the long-term effects of various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop
productivity) and socio-economic (the long-term ability of farmers to obtain inputs and manage resources such as
labor).
In the process of learning about sustainable agriculture the kids will also be learning about the different ways God
has chosen to show Himself to us through His earth. Through this process we will share the gift of salvation.
Classes or Different programs available to campers:
A. 1. Equine Program
For the campers, the equine program will be an opportunity to learn very basic information about horses, like
about the different breeds and their uses and the different styles of riding. The children who live locally that excel
in the camp equine program will have the opportunity to join the Timber Ridge Ranch Saddle Club. This club will
be loosely modeled after existing Programs like the City to Saddle of Weston, MA, or the Saddle Up Club of
Kansas City. These clubs have been highly effective in developing responsible individuals with a new found sense of
self worth and value. One of the most effective places that programs like these have been used is in prisons.
Nevada state prisons are using hardened criminals to break wild mustangs. In many of these programs no one can
begin working directly with the horses. The Idea that working with the horses is a privilege that must be earned
has been very effective.
The levels at the Timber Ridge Ranch will be:
Stable Hand- A stable hand will have little to no contact with the actual horses. Their responsibilities will include
cleaning stalls, filling water and feed buckets, and cleaning tack. All of witch are very basic but very necessary to
learn to properly take care of your assigned animal.
Groom- At this stage the children will be in charge of the hands-on care of the horse such as grooming, bathing,
cleaning their feet and taking the horses on cool down walks.
As in every stage it will be the responsibility of the groom to teach the stable hand the ins and outs of their
responsibilities. In the event the stable hand is absent the groom will complete the tasks of the Groom.
Novice Rider- The kids will, at this point, begin learning basic riding skills and learn how to communicate with
their horses. They will learn what their horses are saying to them by learning their body language.
Intermediate Rider-At this point the kids will begin to explore all of the different styles of riding in order to select
the styles that are best for them.
Apprentice Rider- Here is when styles are selected and the kids begin focused training on their styles of choice.
Competitive Rider- Like it sounds this is the stage in which the kids can begin going to events like shows,
competitions, and events.
Trainer/Teacher- The children who, over time, have made it through all of the stages successfully and have
qualified for the Scholarship Program can apply for a paid summer internship. They will work with the campers
in the Equine Program.
The horses that will be used in this program are Gypsy Cobs, and Buckskin Paints.
A. 2. The Livestock Program
During the week-long camps the kids will have the opportunity to move from one type of livestock to the next,
learning the basics about each type as they go, like not all bulls have horns and some cows do and that chickens
don’t need a rooster to lay an egg. Many of these misunderstood conceptions stem from a society that has lost
touch with this way of life and believe that “Pick 5” from Save-A-Lot is a type of meat.
The types of livestock that will be used will be:
I. Black Belted Baldy- A cross breed beef cow - Hereford x Belted Galloway x Belgian Blue
II. Charangus- A cross breed beef cow - Charolais x Angus
III. Jersey- Milk cows
IV. Black Boer Goats- Meat goats
V. Golden Guernsey- a rare breed dairy goat.
VI. Finn Ship- Sheep that are primarily used for their wool
VII. Tunis Sheep - A dual purpose wool and meat sheep.
VIII. Alpaca- Used for its fleece
IX. Angora Rabbit- Used for its fleece
X. Red New Zealand Rabbit- used for meat and pelt.
XI. Barnevelder Chickens- Rare breed used for egg production valued by hobby farmers
XII. Laced Orpington- Rare breed dual purpose chickens valued by hobby farmers
XIII. Sebastpol Geese- Rare Breed valued by hobby farmers
XIV. Red Wattle Hogs- Rare Heritage breed by hobby farmers
XV. Manderin Ducks- Rare Bred valued by enthusiasts
Much like the Equine program the kids who live locally that choose to be involved in this program can return and
participate on a weekly or bi-weekly basis through out the year.
A. 3. Horticulture Program
During the week-long camps throughout the summer the kids will have the opportunity to learn about the basic
aspects of gardening and horticulture. A minimum of ten acres of the camp will be devoted to these subjects. The
plants of this program will be listed under these categories:
I. Vegetables- from on-site gardens
II. Fruits- from on-site orchards
III. Flowers- from on-site gardens
IV. Trees- from existing timber
In this program the kids will learn more about sustainable agriculture than from any other category. This will be
an opportunity for the kids to learn about successful options to the existing modern chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. The kids will learn about composting and natural stone fertilizers. The vegetables, fruits, nuts, and
flowers from the camp will be marketed and sold on site to the local public. The kids from the camp that live
locally and excel in this program can return and advance their education in horticulture.
A. 4. The Domestic Science Program In the week-long camps during the summer, the kids will be introduced to
some of the basic skills necessary in the Domestic Science Program. This will be an opportunity for the kids to see
how to process raw materials into usable and marketable goods. Here are some of the classes that will be open to
the kids:
I. Yarn making and knitting
II. Produce preservation
III. Culinary Arts
IV. Candle making
V. Milk and milk products
VI. Other raw goods processing
VII. Pottery
Again when the kids who live locally excel at Domestic Science they can return and learn more advanced skills like
quilting and other more advanced skill sets.
B. The Scholarship Program
The farm that hosts the camp will produce products throughout the year. The profits from these products will be
deposited into an account on behalf of the children that participated in the camp that year. These funds will be
held for those children who successfully graduate from high school and are accepted into an approved university.
With the combined in-state university discount and help from the Tennessee lottery, the hope is to offer a full ride
scholarship to those children who participated in the camp and qualify for the funds.
C. The Mentoring Program
While at the camp the mentors will act as councilors and will be assigned no more than five children from their
home town. After the week long camp is over and everyone has returned to their home towns the mentors will be
expected to continue regular interaction with their assigned children. These mentors will be recruited throughout
the year from churches across the state. The mentors will have an assigned manager who will maintain contact
with mentors to assure that the relationship between the mentors and their assigned children is being continued.
Managers will also be held accountable as well. These measures will be put into place to ensure that promises to
these children will not be broken.
D. The Farm
The farm will host the camp for eight weeks of the year. The remainder of the year the farm will be used to host
quarterly functions like a strawberry festival in late May/early June, a pumpkin fall festival in mid to late
October, a fishing tournament and picnic the 3rd week of August, and a festival of lights in December. These
events will be an opportunity for the families of the children, and the children that participated in the camp during
the year to come and reconnect with their mentors. This will also be an opportunity for the families of the children
to experience a little bit of what the farm is about. The farm will also host events such as concerts for fund raising
opportunities.
The farm will have various types of traditional heritage breeds of livestock alongside hybrid breeds. The livestock
will be part of 4-H programs in which kids from the camp who are interested in showing the animals on local,
county, and state fair levels will be able to do so. These kids will also be paired with mentors who can help them
achieve their goals.
The produce, groceries, and crafts (candles, brooms, simple furniture from an on site work shop, baked items, eggs,
milk, plants and flowers, butter, pottery, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc…) will be sold in the farm store and on
the farm website. The profits from these goods will be used to fund the scholarship program.
E. The Staff
The staff for the farm and camp will receive housing on site, salary, and health benefits. Each member of the staff
will have assigned responsibilities and will be held accountable. No member of the staff will be added without
careful consideration as to what role they will play.
This is a non-profit corporation camp for inner city or underprivileged Tennessee children.
A. The Camp
Eight weeks of every summer a week long camp will be held for inner city or underprivileged children from the
state of Tennessee. This camp will be the beginning stages of a mentoring program that will begin for the kids
between the ages of nine and thirteen. The camp will be an opportunity for the mentors and children to form a
much closer bond before they return to their home towns.
While at the camp the mentors and kids will learn about multi-level sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture
integrates three main goals: environmental stewardship, farm profitability, and prosperous farming communities.
These goals have been defined by a variety of disciplines and may be looked at from the vantage point of the farmer
or the consumer. Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce fertile soil for crops along with
livestock and fish from managed ponds, without causing severe or irreversible damage to ecosystem health. Two key
issues are biophysical (the long-term effects of various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop
productivity) and socio-economic (the long-term ability of farmers to obtain inputs and manage resources such as
labor).
In the process of learning about sustainable agriculture the kids will also be learning about the different ways God
has chosen to show Himself to us through His earth. Through this process we will share the gift of salvation.
Classes or Different programs available to campers:
A. 1. Equine Program
For the campers, the equine program will be an opportunity to learn very basic information about horses, like
about the different breeds and their uses and the different styles of riding. The children who live locally that excel
in the camp equine program will have the opportunity to join the Timber Ridge Ranch Saddle Club. This club will
be loosely modeled after existing Programs like the City to Saddle of Weston, MA, or the Saddle Up Club of
Kansas City. These clubs have been highly effective in developing responsible individuals with a new found sense of
self worth and value. One of the most effective places that programs like these have been used is in prisons.
Nevada state prisons are using hardened criminals to break wild mustangs. In many of these programs no one can
begin working directly with the horses. The Idea that working with the horses is a privilege that must be earned
has been very effective.
The levels at the Timber Ridge Ranch will be:
Stable Hand- A stable hand will have little to no contact with the actual horses. Their responsibilities will include
cleaning stalls, filling water and feed buckets, and cleaning tack. All of witch are very basic but very necessary to
learn to properly take care of your assigned animal.
Groom- At this stage the children will be in charge of the hands-on care of the horse such as grooming, bathing,
cleaning their feet and taking the horses on cool down walks.
As in every stage it will be the responsibility of the groom to teach the stable hand the ins and outs of their
responsibilities. In the event the stable hand is absent the groom will complete the tasks of the Groom.
Novice Rider- The kids will, at this point, begin learning basic riding skills and learn how to communicate with
their horses. They will learn what their horses are saying to them by learning their body language.
Intermediate Rider-At this point the kids will begin to explore all of the different styles of riding in order to select
the styles that are best for them.
Apprentice Rider- Here is when styles are selected and the kids begin focused training on their styles of choice.
Competitive Rider- Like it sounds this is the stage in which the kids can begin going to events like shows,
competitions, and events.
Trainer/Teacher- The children who, over time, have made it through all of the stages successfully and have
qualified for the Scholarship Program can apply for a paid summer internship. They will work with the campers
in the Equine Program.
The horses that will be used in this program are Gypsy Cobs, and Buckskin Paints.
A. 2. The Livestock Program
During the week-long camps the kids will have the opportunity to move from one type of livestock to the next,
learning the basics about each type as they go, like not all bulls have horns and some cows do and that chickens
don’t need a rooster to lay an egg. Many of these misunderstood conceptions stem from a society that has lost
touch with this way of life and believe that “Pick 5” from Save-A-Lot is a type of meat.
The types of livestock that will be used will be:
I. Black Belted Baldy- A cross breed beef cow - Hereford x Belted Galloway x Belgian Blue
II. Charangus- A cross breed beef cow - Charolais x Angus
III. Jersey- Milk cows
IV. Black Boer Goats- Meat goats
V. Golden Guernsey- a rare breed dairy goat.
VI. Finn Ship- Sheep that are primarily used for their wool
VII. Tunis Sheep - A dual purpose wool and meat sheep.
VIII. Alpaca- Used for its fleece
IX. Angora Rabbit- Used for its fleece
X. Red New Zealand Rabbit- used for meat and pelt.
XI. Barnevelder Chickens- Rare breed used for egg production valued by hobby farmers
XII. Laced Orpington- Rare breed dual purpose chickens valued by hobby farmers
XIII. Sebastpol Geese- Rare Breed valued by hobby farmers
XIV. Red Wattle Hogs- Rare Heritage breed by hobby farmers
XV. Manderin Ducks- Rare Bred valued by enthusiasts
Much like the Equine program the kids who live locally that choose to be involved in this program can return and
participate on a weekly or bi-weekly basis through out the year.
A. 3. Horticulture Program
During the week-long camps throughout the summer the kids will have the opportunity to learn about the basic
aspects of gardening and horticulture. A minimum of ten acres of the camp will be devoted to these subjects. The
plants of this program will be listed under these categories:
I. Vegetables- from on-site gardens
II. Fruits- from on-site orchards
III. Flowers- from on-site gardens
IV. Trees- from existing timber
In this program the kids will learn more about sustainable agriculture than from any other category. This will be
an opportunity for the kids to learn about successful options to the existing modern chemical fertilizers and
pesticides. The kids will learn about composting and natural stone fertilizers. The vegetables, fruits, nuts, and
flowers from the camp will be marketed and sold on site to the local public. The kids from the camp that live
locally and excel in this program can return and advance their education in horticulture.
A. 4. The Domestic Science Program In the week-long camps during the summer, the kids will be introduced to
some of the basic skills necessary in the Domestic Science Program. This will be an opportunity for the kids to see
how to process raw materials into usable and marketable goods. Here are some of the classes that will be open to
the kids:
I. Yarn making and knitting
II. Produce preservation
III. Culinary Arts
IV. Candle making
V. Milk and milk products
VI. Other raw goods processing
VII. Pottery
Again when the kids who live locally excel at Domestic Science they can return and learn more advanced skills like
quilting and other more advanced skill sets.
B. The Scholarship Program
The farm that hosts the camp will produce products throughout the year. The profits from these products will be
deposited into an account on behalf of the children that participated in the camp that year. These funds will be
held for those children who successfully graduate from high school and are accepted into an approved university.
With the combined in-state university discount and help from the Tennessee lottery, the hope is to offer a full ride
scholarship to those children who participated in the camp and qualify for the funds.
C. The Mentoring Program
While at the camp the mentors will act as councilors and will be assigned no more than five children from their
home town. After the week long camp is over and everyone has returned to their home towns the mentors will be
expected to continue regular interaction with their assigned children. These mentors will be recruited throughout
the year from churches across the state. The mentors will have an assigned manager who will maintain contact
with mentors to assure that the relationship between the mentors and their assigned children is being continued.
Managers will also be held accountable as well. These measures will be put into place to ensure that promises to
these children will not be broken.
D. The Farm
The farm will host the camp for eight weeks of the year. The remainder of the year the farm will be used to host
quarterly functions like a strawberry festival in late May/early June, a pumpkin fall festival in mid to late
October, a fishing tournament and picnic the 3rd week of August, and a festival of lights in December. These
events will be an opportunity for the families of the children, and the children that participated in the camp during
the year to come and reconnect with their mentors. This will also be an opportunity for the families of the children
to experience a little bit of what the farm is about. The farm will also host events such as concerts for fund raising
opportunities.
The farm will have various types of traditional heritage breeds of livestock alongside hybrid breeds. The livestock
will be part of 4-H programs in which kids from the camp who are interested in showing the animals on local,
county, and state fair levels will be able to do so. These kids will also be paired with mentors who can help them
achieve their goals.
The produce, groceries, and crafts (candles, brooms, simple furniture from an on site work shop, baked items, eggs,
milk, plants and flowers, butter, pottery, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc…) will be sold in the farm store and on
the farm website. The profits from these goods will be used to fund the scholarship program.
E. The Staff
The staff for the farm and camp will receive housing on site, salary, and health benefits. Each member of the staff
will have assigned responsibilities and will be held accountable. No member of the staff will be added without
careful consideration as to what role they will play.